Distance, illness and infirmity are among several reasons sometimes preventing people from caring for the gravestone of a loved one.
Gail Keegan of Mentor has developed a business to assist.
Manicured Memories is a gravestone cleaning service designed to give family members comfort in knowing that their loved ones are receiving the same dignity in death as they received in life, according to information from the business’ website.
She noted that cemeteries do a satisfactory job of general maintenance, but personal care and individualized cleaning was lacking.
“Mud collects in the lettering and there are grass clippings, debris, leaves …,” she said. Keegan also said that neglect over a lengthy period of time can obscure someone’s final resting place.
“I personally believe just because someone has passed on you should not stop respecting them,” she said.
Keegan, who has faithfully cared for gravestones of family and others for 20 years, was prompted by friends to offer the service to the public.
While doing research prior to beginning the endeavor, she found that several private companies were well-used in other states including California and Maryland but discovered few available in Ohio.
“People don’t realize there are these services out there,” she said. “It’s out of sight, out of mind until they get out (to the grave site).”
Once establishing an agreement with the client, Keegan visits the cemetery and takes a photo of the gravestone prior to doing any work.
She clears away all debris, washes the stone, trims away encroaching grass and cleans out lettering with brushes and other tools. In some cases a polish is then applied. If requested, flowers, or flags for veterans, are placed.
When complete, Keegan will take an “after” picture.
Also, if cracking or shifting is noticed she advises the client to contact cemetery staff.
Once clients view the differences in the pre- and post-care photos, Keegan said “they’re amazed because they don’t realize how dirty it gets. They think the rain will come and wash it away but it’s not as simple as that. I’ve had some very good feedback.”
She recommends the service be performed twice per season which normally runs April through October or November.
“There’s no contract, and it’s entirely up to the individual as to what they feel the need is,” she said. “We try to provide services that are realistic for our area and are cost-effective.”
Keegan added that all regulations for individual cemeteries are followed. For example, planters will not be embedded if such a rule is stated.
“This is a very respectful process,” she said. “I’m very conscious of the fact that this is a person’s final resting place. You make sure it’s done right. This is not just a job to me. I treat it with a lot of reverence.”

For more information on Manicured Memories, call 440-227-6519 or visit www.manicuredmemories.com.